Goddess | Natasha Romanoff

Chapter 12: Stronger

The ship is piloted up to bring them closer to the city. Smoke tumbles from the buildings. "I never thought I'd be back here" Valkyrie says, her tone of voice shows her conflicted feelings. The ship ascends into the clouds above Asgard.

"I thought it'd be nicer. I mean, not that it's not nice. It's just, it's on fire" Banner says, as they get closer the damage to the city can be better seen by the group. Crushed buildings and barren streets are polluted with smoke from dangerous fires. Al's eyes drop to the floor. Asgard has been so beautiful when she had last visited so she is saddened by how it is now.

"Here, up here in the mountains" Valkyrie says as a projected map on the console shows the mountain where a red dot in the mountain, flashes. Indicating where the Asgardian citizens are. "Heat signatures. People clustered together. Hela's coming for them"

"Okay, drop me off at the palace and I'll draw her away" Thor tells the group

"And get yourself killed?"

"The people trapped down there are all that matters-"

"Thor, you'll be careful right? Please. I don't want to return to earth with the news you have died. You can't die" Aloisia tells the God. She isn't prepared to lose anyone else and does not want the God to sacrifice himself to let them get away. Thor takes her hand, gently squeezing it reassuringly accompanying the gesture with a smile.

"Of course Al" Thor turns to Valkyrie and Bruce, "While I'm dealing with Hela, I need you three to help get everyone off Asgard" Thor continues

"How the hell are we supposed to do that?"

"I have a man on the ground" Thor says confidently. Referring to Heimdall. The group lands by the palace. Thor loads a large Asgardian gun onto the ship, placing it carefully by the door of the Commodore.

"Now the ship has guns" Thor says as he pushes it further into the ship.

"I'll take it from here" Valkyrie says.

Thor holds a bundle of silver fabric with gold plating "I found this in the armory" Thor offers, placing it on the ship. Val immediately recognizes its significance. Aloisia smiles from next to Valkyrie, she assumes that it is more traditional armour.

Al jumps down from the ship so she is next to Thor and gives the god a hug. "I'm not saying goodbye" Al clarifies, hoping that if she doesnt say goodbye it would give no reason for Thors departure to be final. "Be the God of Thunder I know you can be" Al smiles. The hug breaks, and Thor takes Aloisia's strong shoulders.

"Aloisia. For the sake of Asgard, don't hold back. I know that you fear your abilities so always show so much restraint but you have no reason to. Let them free, let you fire burn as hot as you can, let your shadows be. You're using more energy suppressing them than it woudl take to use them. So please, for me, for my people, for Lady Natasha" Thor says, gently tapping Aloisias wedding ring that dangles from her neck, having fallen out of her armour when they had been flying through the wormhole. The God wants to get Aloisa back to her wife, and he needs Al's help to do that "You have nothing to fear, no one will judge you. Al you are so strong, and have such amazing control of your abilities, so use them to their full potential. Please set them free," Aloisa stutters unsure of what to say, but settles on giving the god another hug. Thor lets god of Al, and nods strongly at her, confident in his friend. Al smiles and gets back onto the ship. "Good luck" Thor shouts to the group,
     
The ship begins to rise, Before shes out of earshot, Val calls down "Your majesty. Don't die. You know what I mean" The Commodore flies away, leaving Thor on the balcony.

Banner flies the Commodore out across the city. Val puts on her gloves, cuff on her forearm, boots, and breastplate. She grabs her dragonfang sword and puts it at her side. Val mans the Blaster, wearing her Asgardian Valkyrie armour. Aloisia grins at her. Valkyrie gestures at Aloisias neck, where the silver ring still hangs freely. Her look asking a silent question.